Ribeiras do Morrazo

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone has an oceanic-humid climate with 2,100 sunshine hours per year and mild temperatures with a narrow diurnal range during the growing season, between 7.3 °C and 25.7 °C.
• The winter period brings relatively high temperatures and a near-total absence of frost, while rainfall ranges between 1,300 and 1,800 mm.
• The vineyard is cultivated on gently sloping hillside terrain with sheltered aspects, situated almost always below 150 m above sea level.
• The lithological substrate consists mainly of granitic outcrops from the Hercynian period and sparsely metamorphosed sedimentary rocks.
• Most soils are moderately acidic, permeable, with low water-retention capacity and little organic matter in their uppermost layer, the most common texture being loam or sandy loam.

• All varieties used are indigenous and well adapted to the environment, with vines planted on sites with good sun exposure, warm and permeable soils, and even on sandy flats, dunes, or granitic rocky slopes.
• Traditional training and pruning systems evolved toward low-growing vine forms with high planting densities to maximise exposure to maritime influences.

• The white wines display bright golden-yellow hues, with floral and fruit aromas, a light and fresh palate, and citrus notes on the finish.
• The red wines show medium depth of colour with morello-cherry red tones and violet-tinged rims, medium structure and a smooth palate, with aromas of red and wild fruits and a lightly tannic finish.

• The summer reduction in rainfall, combined with relatively high temperatures, drives high evapotranspiration values and a marked Mediterranean influence that benefits viticulture.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-ES-02238
• Official trade body site — AGACAL — IXP Ribeiras do Morrazo